Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, has announced that Kenyans will get passports within 21 days starting from April. Bitok revealed that the country is poised to receive two new passport printers by the end of March, marking a pivotal advancement in streamlining passport services.
Speaking after the reception of new passport printing booklets, Bitok expressed optimism, stating that the state anticipates acquiring an additional one million booklets in the coming weeks. These acquisitions signify a proactive approach to addressing the persistent passport backlog issue that has plagued the system.
With these enhancements, Bitok assured Kenyans of expedited passport processing, promising a turnaround time of just 21 days. He underscored the importance of these developments in enhancing service delivery within the immigration department.
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“This evening, we’ve received printing booklets, a pivotal step in enhancing service delivery within the immigration department. With two new printers set to arrive by the end of this month and over 1 million booklets procured, expected to arrive soon, we’re primed to efficiently address the passport backlog,” Bitok affirmed.
He emphasized that the improvements would ensure a smoother and faster process for all applicants, guaranteeing that passports would be issued within the stipulated timeframe of 21 days.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing efforts to tackle the backlog, attributed in part to outdated printing equipment and a shortage of printing materials. Bitok reassured the public that the Directorate of Immigration Services had intensified its operations to process and print passports, prioritizing applications on a first-come-first-served basis.
Previously, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had acknowledged the challenges faced by many Kenyans due to delays in passport issuance. He accepted responsibility for the sluggish pace of reforms, attributing it to years of underinvestment in production infrastructure and systemic inefficiencies.
Kindiki pledged to address these issues comprehensively, aiming to overhaul the passport issuance process and ensure timely service delivery. The commitment from government officials signals a concerted effort to alleviate the burden on citizens seeking essential travel documents, ultimately enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction within the immigration system.